Spring Practice Preview: DL

Staff

03/13/2008

The defensive line position is one of the main focuses of fans heading into spring practice. The Seminoles lost two of their best to the NFL when Andre Fluellen graduated and Letroy Guion declared early. Building depth and getting work for the guys left must be the primary focus for coaches Odell Haggins and Jody Allen. Here is a look at what fans can see in the spring from the defensive line.

LE

49 Benjamin Lampkin 6-0 212 R-SR. Ben is a walk-on who played LB last season. In the bowl game against Kentucky, Lampkin played well getting pressure on the QB. This is a reward for hard work.

95Kevin McNeil 6-2 255 JR. After battling the NCAA for eligibility and some off-the-field happenings, FSU hopes to get the end they saw when McNeil was a freshman. As talented player, McNeil needs the work this spring to get the rust off heading into the summer and fall.

Craig Yarborough 6-2 228 SO. A walk-on being rewarded for hard work and dedication to the program, Craig is a depth guy who must get some reps to gain experience.

What to expect: While Lampkin is under-sized, he surprised many in the bowl game. But look for McNeil to re-establish himself this spring as a player the Seminoles can depend on heading into 2008.

DT

72Budd Thacker 6-2 282 JR. Budd is the energizer bunny of the defensive line. While he is a monster in the weightroom, he must work this spring in rounding out his game. Improving his ability to rush the quarterback is vital.

94Justin Mincey 6-5 265 JR. Mincey showed flashes of brilliance last year, and played very well at defensive end. Much like his first year at FSU, Mincey will be moving inside to help the depth issue for FSU at tackle. Look for him to get reps at defensive end, too.

58Dumaka Atkins 6-4 296 R-SR. Atkins' move to the defensive line is intriguing. After battling injuries, many thought he was done at FSU. He hopes to add depth to the position in the spring.

What to expect: This is a position where three things need to happen. Thacker must become more of a consistent player and become the leader. Atkins must adapt to the position change and show that he is capable of adding depth to the team. Third, FSU must come out of the spring with no injuries at this position. With Mincey, it's not out of the realm of possibility to see him earn a starting role.

NG

54Paul Griffin 6-2 278 R-SR. Griffin has the tools, so look for Griffin to show that he is finally healthy and ready to play this spring.

91Emmanuel Dunbar 6-5 284 R-JR. Dunbar showed last year that he is a quality depth guy. Dunbar must take this time in the spring to continue to work hard.

What to expect: Much like defensive tackle, the coaches need to see that Griffin can be counted on to be a dominating force the Noles usually have. Dunbar must continue to build upon last year and show he can be a guy who can play major minutes due to depth issues. Getting out of spring healthy is a must for two guys that have be bitten by the injury bug.

RE

99Everette Brown 6-4 246 R-JR. There isn't much that Everette needs to work on. He is the guy on the defensive line for the Seminoles.

55Jamar Jackson 6-4 232 R-FR. Jamar is coming off an ACL injury and playing his first college minutes at defensive end. Jackson has all the tools to be a stellar end for the Noles, so this spring learning and developing is the focus for Jamar.

59Neefy Moffett 6-1 255 SR. Moffett is an enigma. Here is a guy who has showed he can be dominant one minute, and invisible other times. This is Moffett's money spring to show the leadership the group needs and to be a guy the coaches can lean on.

What to expect: The top two positions are locked down with Brown and Moffett. Jackson will be a depth guy once he begins to learn the nuances of the game. Brown and Moffett can't rest on the fact that they're the incumbent starters at end, because in the fall FSU will be adding a couple guys who will be ready to go.